Apparatus for flushing in a liquid system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for shock-like flushing in a fluid system, comprising an accumulating or blocking element ( 13 ) which upon supply of fluid from an inlet ( 2 ) is adapted to be set from a normal position to a flushing position where accumulated fluid flows through an outlet ( 14 ) to a following section of the fluid system, and to subsequently be reset to normal position. The blocking element comprises a canal, duct or pipe member ( 13 ) with a rotational portion ( 17 ) at an upstream end and with a normal position for blocking and accumulating fluid in the canal, duct or pipe member ( 13 ). The blocking element is kept at an inclination in the normal position by means of a spring or weight load ( 15 ) until a certain level of accumulated fluid is attained. Further, the blocking element can be lowered to the flushing position. The spring or weight load ( 15 ) is adapted to bring the blocking element ( 13 ) back from the flushing position to normal inclined position when a certain low fluid level is attained.

This invention relates to an apparatus for shock-like flushing in afluid system, comprising an accumulating or blocking element which uponsupply of fluid from an inlet is adapted to be set from a normalposition to a flushing position where accumulated fluid flows through anoutlet to a following section of the fluid system, and to subsequentlybe reset to normal position.

Such an apparatus can be used in connection with toilets with waterflushing, where the fluid system which is to receive the backwash orwaste water from toilets, often is exposed to problems because ofclogging etc. This is particularly of concern by application ofso-called water-saving toilets.

In most countries, the large consumption of clean water represented bythe water closet, is constantly a theme of discussion, both with a viewto the actual pressure water volumes which are at disposal for built-upareas and to the significant quantity of the waste water volumesrepresented by such toilets. A variety of water-saving toilets is forthis reason proposed. Up to the present, one has not succeeded with awater-saving toilet which fully takes into account hygiene, odour, andabove all the large volumes of fluid required for ensuringmaintenance-free operation in order to avoid expensive clogging in thewaste pipe. Recent investigations show that it is necessary with aflushing volume of 6 to 8 liters a time for removing paper and faeces insuch a way that future clogging of waste pipe do not occur.

In connection with the above, there is reason to mention British Patentspesification No. 1.441.631, which relates to a toilet system whereamong other things there is included a tiltable accumulation containerfor waste or gray water from other sources, to be utilized forreinforced flushing and further transport of toilet waste down through afollowing waste or fluid system. Such designs based on tiltable ducts orvessels and similar forms of shock-incriminators, have bottom portionswhich are always exposed to sediments which cause function faults orshut-down unless maintenance is constantly done.

The present invention is not limited to utilization in connection withtoilet waste pipes, but has broader applications in waste pipe or fluidsystems in general. The solutions to be discussed in the followingdescription are, however, in principle based on the same ideas asmentioned above in connection with toilets.

Prior art of interest in this connection is also represented by U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,321,948, 4,305,426 and 3,001,575 10 as well as FR 2,720,424.

Closer statements regarding the apparatus according to the invention,together with its novel and particular features are to be found in theclaims.

Among the advantages of the apparatus according to the invention it canfirst of all be mentioned that this is quite simple and reliable, at thesame time not entailing high initial expenses. It can to a great extentbe built with known components or forms of pipe members, includingflexible pipes. A particular advantage consists in that components whichare incorporated, including internal surfaces in pipe members in theconstruction, are flushed and cleaned at each shock-like flushing, insuch a way that the risk of fouling and sedimentation or deposition issubstantially eliminated.

Even if the embodiments described in the following are based on wastewater or sewage, it is clear that the described apparatuses can workwith clean water from a normal water supply as well, if this isdesirable. This can e.g. be the case when such separate or extra watersupply is required for in given situations to attain a sufficientlypowerful flushing and cleaning.

In the following the invention will be further explained with referenceto the drawings, where:

FIG. 1 in vertical section shows a basin or pipe installation forflushing of a drain line or sewer conduit based on a first embodiment ofthe invention,

FIG. 2 in vertical section shows the downstream part of an interceptorfor sludge according to the first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 in vertical section shows an installation of larger dimensionswhere in a tank section there is installed an apparatus according to asecond embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 shows a cross section taken along the line IX—IX in FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 shows the apparatus in FIGS. 3 and 4 as seen from above,

FIG. 6 in sectional elevation shows a demountable flange part which canbe included e.g. in the apparatus in FIG. 1 or 2,

FIG. 7 in sectional elevation shows a fixed part of a flange part forcooperation with the part in FIG. 6, and

FIG. 8 in cross section shows a particular embodiment of a flexible pipemember which can be included in one or more of the apparatuses in FIGS.1-5.

A first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. A widepipe or a basin 56 which in the lower part passes on to a relativelynarrow box 51A, where the apparatus according to the invention isinstalled. This can be an apparatus for flushing of a sewer or drainpipe.

In FIG. 1 there is shown an inlet 52 and an outlet 54, whereby theapparatus lying in between comprises a blocking element with two pipemembers 53 and 56. These are connected to each other in a middle portionas shown at 58 and 58U, respectively, in lowered flushing position. Theapparatus is based on a flexible connection which primarily can beprovided in that the second or downstream pipe member 56 in its entiretyis flexible. The pipe member 53, on the contrary, should be relativelyrigid in order to function as the canal, duct or pipe members adapted toprovide for the shock-like flushing aimed at.

Pipe member 53 has a normal, blocking position shown in dotted lines inFIG. 1, and a lowered, flushing position as shown in solid lines at 53U.The lowering movement from the inclined position to the flushingposition is attained when the fluid pressure through the inlet 52 issufficiently high, i.e. the fluid level has risen to a certain height inthe inclined pipe member 53. A weight load provided by the weight SSA ona lever 55 ensures that the pipe member 53 is kept in the inclinedposition shown, where both the pipe member 53 and the weight with leveris shown with dotted lines. The movability of the pipe member 53 can beprovided 5 for by a flexible pipe portion 57, whose downstream end istight-fittingly connected with the inlet 52. The lever 35 is mounted atan approximately horisontal axis which runs across the pipe member 53,or more correctly, across the flexible pipe portion 57, so that therocking movement of the weight load 55/SSA is adapted to the bendingmotion in the pipe portion 57. A lever part is suitably attached to thepipe member 53. The lowering movement of the pipe-shaped blockingelement 53 will thus occur approximately in a vertical plane.

As it appears from the two positions which the apparatus takes up inFIG. 1, with solid lines and dotted lines, respectively, the weight 55Ain the flushing position (53U) will exert a smaller momentum on the pipemember (53) than in the blocking inclined position. Expressed in otherwords, the lever 55 has an effective inclined position which is morevertical during flushing than in its position corresponding to blockinginclined position of the pipe member 53. This implies a decreasingmomentum of the weight load during the lowering movement.

Further, it is clear that a weight load as here shown, could be replacedwith a spring load having a similar function with respect to pipe member53

The pipe members 53 and 56 are flexibly connected with the inlet 52through a flexible pipe portion 57, and with the outlet 54 through acorresponding preferably flexible pipe portion 54A. With a second pipemember 56 which in its entirety is flexible, no high degree offlexibility in the portion 54A is required, it is an advantage that theconnection or joint plane at 58 between the two pipe members runssomewhat at an inclination in relation to the longitudinal axis of thefirst pipe member 53, as it particularly appears in the flushingposition (53U/158U/56U) shown. This inclined position together with acorrespondingly adapted length of the second pipe member 58, makes thispipe member more easily adaptable to the larger distance between theportion 54A and the highest point at 58 in blocking position, as withdashed lines shown in FIG. 1.

As a variant of what is just described, both pipe members 52 and 56 maybe formed of a continuous, flexible pipe section which in that caserequires a supporting frame or bridge which extends along and preferablyover the first part 53 of the integrated pipe member and is preferablyrigidly connected to the weight means 55/55A.

In the embodiment in FIG. 1, there exists a continuous fluid flow pathfrom the inlet 52 to the outlet 54, as well in blocking position as influshing position. This can be a great advantage in certainapplications.

In FIG. 1 there is also shown a flange part 59/59A, here in connectionwith the outlet 54, but a similar device is also indicated at the inlet52. Flange part hand lever 59A can be of assistance when fully or partlydismounting the main components including in the flushing means. Detailsregarding this flange part will be explained below in connection withFIGS. 6 and 7.

At the outlet 54 there is in dashed lines shown a flexible hose 54Bwhich inside the box 51A has an opening downwardly through the bottom ofthe outlet 54, with the purpose of being able to drain fluid which couldleak out or accumulate in the bottom of the box 51A. Thus it isprevented that accumulated fluid on the bottom of the box 51A can affectthe balance conditions in the system which comprises the pipe members 53and 56, together with the weight means 55/55A. Similar draining can ofcourse be arranged for the remaining embodiments described. Such aninternal hose will only be able to transport insignificant fluidvolumes, and it will float up in the outlet 54 and the following pipesystem, during flushing, and does not hinder this function.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pipe members 53 and 56 have approximatelythe same cross section, but it is clear that the flexible pipe member 56could have a larger diameter than the pipe member 53, particularly inview of corrugation which can be advantageous with a view to the desiredflexibility, in case of such an increased dimension of the pipe member56, it is of importance that the lowest portion or bottom portion runslevel with the bottom portion of the pipe portion 53. This willcontribute to avoiding that accumulation of undesired sludge or similarwill occur.

Finally it is mentioned in connection with FIG. 1 that on the bottom ofthe pipe member 56 when it is corrugated, there may be arranged anextended, flexible reed or tongue 56A which loosely lies on the bottomof the pipe portion except for a fixation close to the transitionportion 58. A cross section of the pipe member 56 with such an inlaidflexible reed 56A is shown in FIG. 8. The purpose of this specialfeature is to reduce the wear and tear on the pipe member 56 in case ofsharp gravel or similar being transported by the fluid flowing throughit.

An interceptor for sludge is partly shown in FIG. 2. This can compriseseveral upstream or preceding chambers in connection with the lastchamber 61 which here is shown in the drawing after (to the right of) apartition 61A against the last preceding chamber. The flushing means hashere a good deal in common with the apparatus in FIG. 1, but in FIG. 2is placed in a box in the upper part of the tank section 61. At the leftend of this box there is shown an immersed tube 62 for the flushingmeans. The following main components can be found in this drawing: Aflexible pipe section 67 connecting a first pipe member 63 to the inlet62, a second, flexible pipe member 66 which at its upstream end has aconnection 66 with the first pipe member 63, together with an outlet 64.Furthermore, a weight load represented by the lever 65 with anaccompanying weight is included. The apparatus is shown with dottedlines in blocking position, and with solid lines in its flushingposition (63U/66U). At 69 there is shown a drain pipe for draining offluid which might occur on the bottom of the box which encloses theflushing means. It is first of all the question of condensation waterneeding to be removed. This can go straight into the ground when aburied interceptor for sludge is concerned.

The manner of operation is in essence as described in connection withFIG. 1, and the apparatus in FIG. 2 can e.g. through the immersed tubeinlet 62 be adapted to empty up to ⅕ of the volume in the tank forremoval through the outlet 64 to a downstream fluid system, such as aninfiltration conduit with an accompanying manifold.

The embodiment in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 differ in its pattern of motion fromthe preceding embodiments, by being based on sideways lowering movementof the blocking element. This comprises here a first pipe member 73 anda second pipe member 76 being interconnected through a flexible pipeportion 78. In its solid-drawn version in FIGS. 3 and 4, this blockingelement takes up a blocking position, as fluid which is supplied throughan inlet 72 accumulates and results in an increasing fluid level in thepipe member 73, until lowering and flushing occur. Flushing takes placethrough an outlet 74 which is connected with the downstream part of thepipe member 76, through a flexible pipe portion 74A. Similarly, there isarranged a flexible pipe portion between the inlet 72 and the upstreamend of the pipe member 73. All of this is installed in a larger tank 71with access through a tube 71A provided with a ladder.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the blocking element 73/76 with dotted lines is shownin its lowered position, i.e. flushing position. In the same positionthe apparatus is shown as seen from above in FIG. 5. The loweringmovement here consequently takes place sideways by rotation of theblocking element about an approximately horisontal axis or line betweenthe inlet 72 and the outlet 74. The inlet and the outlet are, as itappears from FIG. 5, laterally shifted in relation to each other, sincethe inlet 72 can lie in a vertical midplane in the tank 71, while theoutlet 74 has a relatively pronounced eccentric position in thecross-section of the tank. The inlet and outlet, however, are arrangedwith little or no level difference in the tank. With such anunsymmetrical design of the blocking element 73 76, the fluid whichgradually fills up in the pipe member 73, will exert a momentum whichattempts to turn the whole blocking element clockwise in FIG. 4, i.e. inthe direction towards a lowered flushing position. This loweringmovement occurs in spite of weight load in the form of a lever 75 withweight 75A, which attempts to keep the blocking element in the blockingposition. The lever 75 with its weight is during lowering raised to theposition shown with dotted lines, indicated with 7SU in FIG. 4 Inaccordance with the previously described embodiments, here as well thereis provided for support of the components of the apparatus, particularlyin lowered position, as it appears from FIG. 4 by the plate part 79shown.

The embodiment in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 is based on mainly rigid pipe members73 and 76, with associated more or less flexible pipe portions 77, 78,74A.

The apparatus in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 could also have been provided withflange parts or couplings as drawn in FIGS. 1 and 2, and shown in moredetail in FIGS. 6 and 7. In addition to what is mentioned before aboutsuch flange parts, it is worth noting that FIG. 6 shows a retractablepart 49 which is essentially plate-shaped and is equipped is with a handlever 49A. A through hole 40 agrees with the flow cross-section throughthe inlet. A corresponding frame or guidance part 49B is shown in FIG.7, where there is likewise a through hole 50 corresponding to the hole40. As it has appeared from the description above, it is here thequestion of practical details which can be useful by disassembling andmaintenance or similar on the flushing means shown.

It is evident that the apparatuses described may have a regular mode ofoperation corresponding to the flushing position as explained, but canbe repositioned to take up the blocking position when it is desirable toundertake shock-like flushing by means of accumulated fluid.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for shock-like flushing in a fluidsystem, comprising an accumulating or blocking element which upon supplyof fluid from an inlet is adapted to be set from a normal position to aflushing position where accumulated fluid flows through an outlet to afollowing section of the fluid system, and to thereafter be reset tonormal position, said blocking element comprising a canal, duct or pipemember with a pivotal portion at an upstream end and with a normalposition where it has at least partially an upward inclination from saidpivotal portion for blocking and accumulating fluid in the canal, ductor pipe member, and the blocking element is kept in the normal inclinedposition by means of a weight load until a certain level of accumulatedfluid is attained, whereby the blocking element is adapted to be loweredto the flushing position for fluid through-flow in the canal, duct orpipe member, and the weight load is adapted to bring the blockingelement back from the flushing position to normal inclined position whena certain low fluid level is attained, characterized in that theblocking element comprises a first and second, downstream pipe memberwith a mutual flexible connection, and that a downstream end of saidsecond, downstream pipe member is directly connected to said outlet. 2.An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivotalportion is adapted to provide for said lowering movement of the blockingelement in a substantially vertical plane.
 3. An apparatus according toclaim 1, characterized in that the blocking element is connected to theinlet through a flexible pipe portion.
 4. An apparatus according toclaim 1, characterized in that the second, downstream pipe member isadapted to be connected to the outlet through a second flexible pipeportion.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that thesecond, downstream pipe member is flexible in its entirety.
 6. Anapparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivotalportion is adapted to provide for lateral lowering of the blockingelement mainly about a horizontal axis in the longitudinal directionbetween the inlet and the outlet.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 6,characterized in that the outlet is laterally offset in relation to thecenter line of the inlet.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 1,characterized in that a weight load affects the blocking element througha lever which in the flushing position takes up a more verticalorientation than it does in normal inclined position of the blockingelement.